25281. For purposes of this chapter and unless otherwise expressly
provided, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Automatic line leak detector" means any method of leak
detection, as determined in regulations adopted by the board, that
alerts the owner or operator of an underground storage tank to the
presence of a leak. "Automatic line leak detector" includes, but is
not limited to, any device or mechanism that alerts the owner or
operator of an underground storage tank to the presence of a leak by
restricting or shutting off the flow of a hazardous substance through
piping, or by triggering an audible or visual alarm, and that
detects leaks of three gallons or more per hour at 10 pounds per
square inch line pressure within one hour.
(b) "Board" means the State Water Resources Control Board.
"Regional board" means a California regional water quality control
board.
(c) "Compatible" means the ability of two or more substances to
maintain their respective physical and chemical properties upon
contact with one another for the design life of the tank system under
conditions likely to be encountered in the tank system.
(d) (1) "Certified Unified Program Agency" or "CUPA" means the
agency certified by the Secretary for Environmental Protection to
implement the unified program specified in Chapter 6.11 (commencing
with Section 25404) within a jurisdiction.
(2) "Participating Agency" or "PA" means an agency that has a
written agreement with the CUPA pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 25404.3, and is approved by the secretary to implement or
enforce the unified program element specified in paragraph (3) of
subdivision (c) of Section 25404, in accordance with Sections 25404.1
and 25404.2.
(3) "Unified Program Agency" or "UPA" means the CUPA, or its
participating agencies to the extent each PA has been designated by
the CUPA, pursuant to a written agreement, to implement or enforce
the unified program element specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision
(c) of Section 25404. For purposes of this chapter, a UPA has the
responsibility and authority, to the extent provided by this chapter
and Sections 25404.1 and 25404.2, to implement and enforce only those
requirements of this chapter listed in paragraph (3) of subdivision
(c) of Section 25404 and the regulations adopted to implement those
requirements. Except as provided in Section 25296.09, after a CUPA
has been certified by the secretary, the UPA shall be the only local
agency authorized to enforce the requirements of this chapter listed
in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 25404 within the
jurisdiction of the CUPA. This paragraph shall not be construed to
limit the authority or responsibility granted to the board and the
regional boards by this chapter to implement and enforce this chapter
and the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(e) "Department" means the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
(f) "Facility" means any one, or combination of, underground
storage tanks used by a single business entity at a single location
or site.
(g) "Federal act" means Subchapter IX (commencing with Section
6991) of Chapter 82 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as added
by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (Public Law
98-616), or as it may subsequently be amended or supplemented.
(h) "Hazardous substance" means either of the following:
(1) All of the following liquid and solid substances, unless the
department, in consultation with the board, determines that the
substance could not adversely affect the quality of the waters of the
state:
(A) Substances on the list prepared by the Director of Industrial
Relations pursuant to Section 6382 of the Labor Code.
(B) Hazardous substances, as defined in Section 25316.
(C) Any substance or material that is classified by the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as a flammable liquid, a class II
combustible liquid, or a class III-A combustible liquid.
(2) Any regulated substance, as defined in subsection (7) of
Section 6991 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as that section
reads on January 1, 2012, or as it may subsequently be amended or
supplemented.
(i) "Local agency" means one of the following, as specified in
subdivision (b) of Section 25283:
(1) The unified program agency.
(2) Before July 1, 2013, a city or county.
(3) On and after July 1, 2013, a city or county certified by the
board to implement the local oversight program pursuant to Section
25297.01.
(j) "Operator" means any person in control of, or having daily
responsibility for, the daily operation of an underground storage
tank system.
(k) "Owner" means the owner of an underground storage tank.
(l) "Person" means an individual, trust, firm, joint stock
company, corporation, including a government corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, or association. "Person" also
includes any city, county, district, the state, another state of the
United States, any department or agency of this state or another
state, or the United States to the extent authorized by federal law.
(m) "Pipe" means any pipeline or system of pipelines that is used
in connection with the storage of hazardous substances and that is
not intended to transport hazardous substances in interstate or
intrastate commerce or to transfer hazardous materials in bulk to or
from a marine vessel.
(n) "Primary containment" means the first level of containment,
such as the portion of a tank that comes into immediate contact on
its inner surface with the hazardous substance being contained.
(o) "Product tight" means impervious to the substance that is
contained, or is to be contained, so as to prevent the seepage of the
substance from the containment.
(p) "Release" means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging,
escaping, leaching, or disposing from an underground storage tank
into or on the waters of the state, the land, or the subsurface
soils.
(q) "Secondary containment" means the level of containment
external to, and separate from, the primary containment.
(r) "Single walled" means construction with walls made of only one
thickness of material. For the purposes of this chapter, laminated,
coated, or clad materials are considered single walled.
(s) "Special inspector" means a professional engineer, registered
pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of
the Business and Professions Code, who is qualified to attest, at a
minimum, to structural soundness, seismic safety, the compatibility
of construction materials with contents, cathodic protection, and the
mechanical compatibility of the structural elements of underground
storage tanks.
(t) "Storage" or "store" means the containment, handling, or
treatment of hazardous substances, either on a temporary basis or for
a period of years. "Storage" or "store" does not include the storage
of hazardous wastes in an underground storage tank if the person
operating the tank has been issued a hazardous waste facilities
permit by the department pursuant to Section 25200 or 25201.6 or
granted interim status under Section 25200.5.
(u) "Tank" means a stationary device designed to contain an
accumulation of hazardous substances which is constructed primarily
of nonearthen materials, including, but not limited to, wood,
concrete, steel, or plastic that provides structural support.
(v) "Tank integrity test" means a test method capable of detecting
an unauthorized release from an underground storage tank consistent
with the minimum standards adopted by the board.
(w) "Tank tester" means an individual who performs tank integrity
tests on underground storage tanks.
(x) "Unauthorized release" means any release of any hazardous
substance that does not conform to this chapter, including an
unauthorized release specified in Section 25295.5.
(y) (1) "Underground storage tank" means any one or combination of
tanks, including pipes connected thereto, that is used for the
storage of hazardous substances and that is substantially or totally
beneath the surface of the ground. "Underground storage tank" does
not include any of the following:
(A) A tank with a capacity of 1,100 gallons or less that is
located on a farm and that stores motor vehicle fuel used primarily
for agricultural purposes and not for resale.
(B) A tank that is located on a farm or at the residence of a
person, that has a capacity of 1,100 gallons or less, and that stores
home heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored.
(C) Structures, such as sumps, separators, storm drains, catch
basins, oil field gathering lines, refinery pipelines, lagoons,
evaporation ponds, well cellars, separation sumps, and lined and
unlined pits, sumps, and lagoons. A sump that is a part of a
monitoring system required under Section 25290.1, 25290.2, 25291, or
25292 and sumps or other structures defined as underground storage
tanks under the federal act are not exempted by this subparagraph.
(D) A tank holding hydraulic fluid for a closed loop mechanical
system that uses compressed air or hydraulic fluid to operate lifts,
elevators, and other similar devices.
(E) A tank in an underground area, as defined in Section 25270.2,
and associated piping, that is subject to Chapter 6.67 (commencing
with Section 25270).
(2) Structures identified in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of
paragraph (1) may be regulated by the board and any regional board
pursuant to the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Division 7
(commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code) to ensure that
they do not pose a threat to water quality.
(z) "Underground tank system" or "tank system" means an
underground storage tank, connected piping, ancillary equipment, and
containment system, if any.
(aa) (1) "Unified program facility" means all contiguous land and
structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land that
are subject to the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c)
of Section 25404.
(2) "Unified program facility permit" means a permit issued
pursuant to Chapter 6.11 (commencing with Section 25404), and that
encompasses the permitting requirements of Section 25284.
(3) "Permit" means a permit issued pursuant to Section 25284 or a
unified program facility permit as defined in paragraph (2).